 |
The Power Behind Prayer
James 5:17-18 'Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.' I love the way the Amplified version of the Bible has the first part of this passage: 'Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have [with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours]...'
 Those are incredibly encouraging words, aren't they? He was just like us, this amazing ninth century prophet, this all-time hall-of-fame faith man. Oh sure, he was called and equipped to work unprecedented signs and wonders -- calling down fire from heaven isn't something you see every day of the week, not even in the best of churches! Yes, he did almost single-handedly turn the heart of a nation back to God. But for all that, he was still a human being just like you and me. He was subject to all the same limitations as we are and prone to all the same flaws. He could just as easily be led astray by wrong feelings or affections. Still, he called down fire and then prayed down the rain that ended a drought, a national disaster that had lasted for three and a half years. There was power in this man's prayer -- and there is as much power in ours. Why? Because it's not the one offering up the prayer that is the key -- it's the One who receives the prayer. Elijah's fallen nature may have been the same as our old, unregenerate nature. But his prayer-answering, determined-faith-honouring God is also the same as ours! We don't come to God hoping for answers on the basis of our strength or our goodness, but on the basis of his. The same God who answered Elijah is just as ready, willing and able to answer you. Just pray for what he wants and answers will come.
Prayer: Father God, thank you that you're as open to my prayers as you were to Elijah's. Help me to pray as he did -- in obedience and in faith.'
© 2003-2004 Mal Fletcher
|
|
 |
 |
Want to keep in touch with what Next Wave is doing each month? Enter your email address below.
|
 |
Having EDGES on Premier TV is an awesome move. The audience for this great series is clearly growing!
John, United Kingdom
I am constantly blessed & inspired by reading the Daily Recharge.
Thankyou Mal for being a faithful mouthpiece for God and being willing to pay the price that is necessary if one is going to minister life!
John, Australia
I believe EDGES is a great thought-provoking program that does Christians proud.
Sarah, Australia
Send us your feedback |
|
